HP extending use of recycled plastics

Hewlett-Packard (HP) and the LaVergne Group has developed closed-loop plastic recycling process to use printer cartridges and water bottles to build electronics components, according to a news report by Cleantech Group.

HP is currently using the process to produce new printer cartridges, but the material has potential applications in the internal components of computers and printers because of its improved characteristics over typical recycled plastic.

HP gets the recycled plastic from its own printer cartridges, which are typically more than 70% polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Additionally, HP uses water bottles, one of the most commonly recycled plastics in the world.

HP has been increasing the use of recycled plastic globally from five million pounds in 2007 up to 12 million pounds in 2008.